FAQ's

On this page you will find a list of questions asked frequently by prospective parents which we hope you will find useful. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to contact us and we'll be happy to assist you.

What age can my child start?

Your child may start in our Pre-Reception class from 2 years 9 months old. Pre-Reception at Sherborne House School offers children a high standard of care within a secure, inspiring learning environment where children are helped to develop, become active and learn independently.

Does my child have to start at the beginning of the Academic Year?

Although the majority of children do join at the start of the academic year we do understand that a house move or other circumstances can mean that a family may not be in a position to join us until later on in the year. Therefore, children are welcome to join us at any time during the year.

What time does school start and finish?

For children in Pre-Reception and Reception, the school day will start at 8.30am and finish at 3.45pm. For children in Year 1 to Year 6 the school day will start at 8.30am and finish at 4pm.

Our extended day offers Early Morning Breakfast Club from 7.30am – 8.30am our after-school Lakewood Club is offered from 4pm until 6pm.

What are the class sizes?

Although our class sizes vary, we have a maximum of 20 pupils in a class.

How much homework will my child have?

Key Stage 1 homework time is adapted to fit the individual child.

Key Stage 2 guidance is as follows:

Year 3: 30 minutes per night

Year 4: 40 minutes per night

Year 5: 50 minutes per night

Year 6: 60 minutes per night (with possible additional time being required at weekends especially during the period leading-up to senior school entrance exams)

Do children learn another language?

French is taught by a specialist teacher from Pre-Reception through to Year 6. Spanish class is introduced to children in Year 4, 5 and 6.

I would like my child to have additional instrument tuition. Can you arrange this?

Yes, this is available through our peripatetic teachers, please contact our Head of Music and Drama, Mrs Shelagh Lee at s.lee@sherbornehouse.co.uk

Which sports do the children learn?

How do we challenge your children?

Our aim is to make sure all our pupils fulfil their potential, and that we identify and celebrate all abilities and talents.

We encourage able pupils to extend their learning through problem-solving tasks, project work and graded activities. Where appropriate, we encourage them to sit for scholarships to senior schools, and we have an excellent record in this area.

However, it is just as important to support and nurture pupils who find academic work more challenging. We have a fully-integrated special-needs department, staffed by a qualified teacher and an assistant. They offer multi-sensory help with literacy, numeracy, and personal development skills. For further information download our Local Offer.

Close links between home and school are an essential part of this department’s work, and we encourage parents to become involved in supporting individual learning programmes.

We also support pupils for whom English is an additional language.

How do we communicate with parents?

We have an open-door policy whereby parents may meet, e-mail or talk by telephone to teachers in order to discuss day-to-day concerns and their child’s progress. In addition, we offer a weekly Need to Know email which details key dates and further details such as fixtures or events. A fortnightly newsletter allows parents to keep up-to-date with events and their child’s learning. More formal feedback is given through parents’ evenings and detailed, written reports.